For most patients, dermabrasion is a safe and effective procedure. However, some patients may experience complications. Some individuals may develop light or dark areas of skin following treatment, and this may be permanent. In such cases, increased pigmentation can be treated with bleaching creams. Dermabrasion can result in thickened skin in some areas. Cortisone creams and injections can be used to help the skin return to normal. Fever blisters (cold sores) may appear in patients prone to frequent outbreaks of herpes infections. Antiviral medications can often treat this symptom. Patients with facial skin conditions such as acne, rosacea and dermatitis may also experience flare-ups after the procedure.

The risks associated with any surgery (e.g., bleeding, infection) or use of anesthetic (e.g., allergic reaction, breathing difficulties) may occur during dermabrasion.

A physician should be alerted if skin remains red, elevated or itchy even after it has healed. Patients should also alert their physician if the treated area appears to get worse during the healing period. A physician should be contacted if the area becomes increasingly red, raised or itchy after a period of improvement. Such developments may indicate that abnormal scars are beginning to form.